Image from miSci - Museum of Innovation and Science - Schenectady, NY

In late 1941, Cab Calloway played an extended gig at the Kenmore's Rainbo Room to rave reviews. Here is a quote from the New York Age newspaper (Harlem based) dated November 29, 1941 -

Nov. 29

Cab Calloway has taken Albany by storm, the first week of his seventeen day engagement. No other band has drawn the crowds to the Kenmore where he and his band are playing. Friday afternoon, he appeared at the Kresge ten cent store and he was mobbed for autographs, which he willingly gave. On Wednesday, Bob Murphy, manager of the hotel, took Cab to call on Governor Herbert H. Lehman. In a fifteen minute interview, the Governor showed Cab some of his model ships. He also told Cab that he liked his “Hi De Ho” , that he liked swing music in general and he liked Bab’s music and band in particular. Tuesday evening, we dropped in the Kenmore, through the courtesy of Bob Murphy to hear the band and to see the show.

An example of the correspondence between talent agencies and venues like the Kenmore/Rainbo Room during the Swing Era.

Image from the Kenmore Hotel Collection - Archives, Albany Institute of History and Art.

The Rainbo Room atop the Kenmore Hotel was one of Albany's premier venues. It was a spot where the very best, nationally renown entertainment performed. Here is a chronology of acts appearing in the Room, 1938-1942. (Sources: Times Union and Knickerbocker News).

1938

Jan - Al Jahns and His NBC Orchestra. Peter Higgins, Tenor.

Feb - Ruth Denning, blues singer.

Mar - Denning plus Al Jahns. Bill Bardo & His Music.

Apr - Rito Rio and Her All Girl Orchestra; Ruth Denning; Teddy King.

May/Jun - Brad Reynolds and His Whispering Rhythm; Mary King, NBC

blues singer; Jack Melvin and His Orchestra.

Jun/Jul - Jerry Sullivan & His Univ. of Georgia Collegians.

Sept/Oct - "Play Don" Bestor - His Vibra-Harp and Orchestra.

Oct/Dec - Del Courtney and His NBC Orchestra.

1939

Apr - Ina Ray Hutton and Her Orchestra.

- Francis Murphy Orchestra.

May - Mike Riley & His Band.

Oct/Nov - Bruce Bubbles Baker and His Broadcasting Band;

Three Notes - Girl Trio; The Midshipmen - singers.

Nov - Emery Deutch and His Orchestra.

1940

Jan - Emery Deutch and His Orchestra.

- Art Mooney and His Orchestra.

Feb - Art Mooney and Winter Sisters.

Mar - Terry Shand and His NBC Orchestra.

Apr - Ina Ray Hutton and Her Orchestra w/ Peter Higgins.

June - Jerry Wald and His NBC Orchestra.

Sept - Terry Shand and his NBC Orchestra.

Nov - Dick Stabile and His Orchestra.

- Ben Bernie and All The Lads; The Baily Sisters.

Dec - Ray Heatherton and His Music With A Smile;

Judy Clark and Penny Parker - singers; Castian

and Barry - dancers, direct from the Biltmore Hotel, NYC.

1941

Jan - Sophie Tucker

- Carl Ravazza Orchestra

- Dean Hudson and His Florida Clubmen

- Johnny Hamp & His Radio Recording Orchestra

Feb - Henry Busse & His Orchestra

- Del Courtney and His Orchestra

Feb/Mar - George Hall and His Orchestra

April - George Hall and His Orchestra

May - Lee Kuhn and His Band will stay until Decoration Day,

then the Rainbo Room closes for the season.

- George Flores and His Orchestra.

Sept/Oct - Russ Morgan Orchestra

Nov - Isham Jones Orchestra

- Cab Calloway Orchestra

Dec - Ray Heatherton Orchestra

- Herbie Holmes and His 18 Piece NBC Orchestra.

1942

Jan - Herbie Holmes

Feb - Ray Kinny and His Musical Ambassadors.

Mar - Fletcher Henderson and His All Colored Cotton

Club Revue.

Mar/Apr - Hal Leonard and His Entertaining Band.

May - Earl Geiger and His Orchestra.

July - Lew Grey and His Orchestra.

Sept - Jack Coffee and His Orch., with Ginny Brainard, songs.

Oct - Joe Moran's Marimba Band.

- Gloria Parker and Her Gentlemen of Music.

Nov - Dick Rogers and His Orchestra. Betty Barr - songs.

Dec - Dick Shelton and His Musical Mariners.

As of November, 2020, the Kenmore Hotel in Albany is being converted into apartments. See photos and information about the project in the following websites:

All Over Albany

Nippertown